Illinois Community Banking Week April 5-11, 2026,

Fidelity Bank Illinois shares the following release with permission announcing Community Banking Week in Illinois

 

Valerie Johnston
Senior Vice President of Communications
217/652-5779 • valeriej@cbai.com

COMMUNITY BANKING WEEK IN ILLINOIS              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2026 (Springfield, IL) . . . The Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI) will celebrate its 36th Annual “Illinois Community Banking Week” April 5-11, 2026, during National Community Banking Month.

The purpose of Community Banking Week is to feature the longstanding tradition of local, hometown community banks. We urge consumers, business owners, farmers and public officials to learn more about community banks, their role in building stronger communities, and the quality products and services they provide – all with the relationship banking experience that customers can expect from a local financial institution. 

“CBAI members statewide believe that Community Banking Week is the perfect opportunity to highlight the mission, importance and spirit of community banks,” said CBAI Chairman Dan Graham, president/CEO of Flora Bank & Trust. “The theme this year is Community Banks – At the Heart of Your Hometown. At a community bank, the focus isn’t on profits or transactions, but on serving the local community. We understand local needs, recognize that people are more than just credit scores, and believe commitment means standing by our customers during tough times. For a community bank, success comes from being at the heart of our hometowns – the most trusted, the most responsive, and the most connected to our local economies.” 

“It’s the human touch, the local knowledge, and the empathy that define us. And it means showing up for our communities—not just as lenders, but as leaders. Whether it’s sponsoring local events and sports teams, supporting financial literacy programs and charities, or helping neighbors after a natural disaster, community banks lead with integrity and heart,”  Graham said.

CBAI is a professional trade association representing nearly 240 Illinois commercial banks and thrifts and their 850 Illinois bank branches. Its members have nearly $80 billion in assets and employ approximately 17,000 individuals. CBAI, headquartered in Springfield, was founded in 1974 to exclusively represent and serve the community banking profession. For more information, visit www.cbai.com.
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Fidelity Bank Illinois, formerly Savanna-Thomson State Ban, is proud to be an independent community bank serving Savanna, Thomson, Mt. Carroll and surrounding areas. Bank online and in-branch for all of our personal, business, and mortgage loan products and services. Fidelity-Bank.com